Red Rivers and Nightmares

10. Even More

Iien has us riding the horses now at a jaunty trot. I feel drained, not magically, but drained nonetheless. I know this since pulling the water from our clothes did nothing to strain me or change how I feel.

Yet, on our horses once again I cannot help but to think about Rion's promise to me. Why does he want me to confide in him? He is not wrong in assuming I have not done so to my brothers but, as far as I know members of my family do not confide in others about death. Did he ask specifically because he can see that I am weaker than my brothers?

I shake my head in an attempt to rid myself of such thoughts. I wish such an action would actually do such a thing but it does nothing. What does works is thinking about Rion and the growing interest that appears every time I use my power. Has he been so secluded that he has never seen a keeper? I have read that shifters and werewolves tended to live in seclusion from our society but keepers are plentiful, above average of Lasinia in Alethia's borders. The only country that can boast near our numbers is Terralin.

As my mind continues to wander in this direction I actually find myself relaxing during this leg of our find and rescue goal. I do not find it incredibly boring to be riding our horses on and off, and doing nothing else. I actually hope our travel can be like this for the rest of the way.

Iien looks back at me once more. I quickly smile at him and he turns around with one last look at me. After Rion led me back to our temporary camp I was expecting Iien to yell at me about running off in the middle of nowhere but he did not. He scolded me then hugged me, asking if I was okay. I found it strange, especially now that he keeps looking at me and only chooses to face forward once more when I smile.

Akun brings up his horse to trot next to mine. I do not try to speed up, in case it causes the concern to grow in Iien. Also, for all that Akun is next to me he is not trying to talk to me in any way. As I peek at him I can see by the set of his mouth that he is building up the courage to say something. I look around us for something to distract him but nothing seems forthcoming.

Then, Rion barks twice before whining incessantly. I wish my desires would not be carried out so horribly. I force myself to hold Ro's reins loosely even as I want to tighten my grip and turn him away to avoid finding anymore bodies, because I am sure that is what I will find.

Unlike Iou's friend these three bodies are left out in the open on the side of the road. Rion is already human once more and kneeling by the bodies. Even on top of Ro I can tell that these bodies have been dead for quite some time. The scavengers having already come to pick at them is clue enough.

Iien has Snow spots come between me and Rion before dismounting. In any other situation I would find his protectiveness annoying and too much but I do not care so much right now.

As he talks to Rion I dismount Ro and approach the bodies. I feel numb and disaffected as I kneel next to the one that is farthest from Rion. She has a suspicious amount of blood around her mouth. As I pry open her mouth I hear Iien ask a question, "Are you sure they are your people?"

I finally get her mouth open to see blood in the back of her throat. It is a really dark color, telling me that it has been sitting there for a while now. I frown as I look at the gnawed stump of what used to be her tongue. Even if I was right next to her when she chewed through her own tongue I doubt I would have been able to save her. I cannot save somebody who wishes for death.

Rion breathes shakily as he stares at what I am looking at. His gaze is stuck on her even as he responds back to Iien, "Yah, the gals are twins and Leigh was settled with Earna." He nods to the woman I am kneeling next to and I grimace as I realize why she chose to kill herself.